Platform system

ABSTRACT

A platform system including at least one unit comprising a substantially flat platform. Each of the units has hollow corner posts from which supporting legs extend downwardly. Each of the corner posts includes at least one lug integrally cast or molded with the corner post. The lug extending from the corner post provides connection of the corner post to a side frame which supports the platform above. The provision of the lugs on the corner post provide for the assembly of the platform system in a secure manner at the site of the platform system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a platform system, in particular for stagingunits. Such units are commonly used in the entertainment industry(theaters, studios, concert halls, etc.). The platform system of theinvention may however find wider application, particularly in thebuilding industry.

2. Description of the Prior Art

The present invention is particularly concerned with a platform systemof the general type described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,813,201, according towhich at least one unit each comprises a substantially flat platformhaving on the underside thereof downwardly extending hollow posts ofsquare cross-section, and legs of circular cross-section insertable intosaid posts to provide a platform of variable height and angle of rake.

In the known platform system of this type the side frame elements, whichmay be of conventional truss design, are welded to the corner posts, asa result of which the platform has a high packing volume. Also, in theknown system, it is necessary to weld the side frame to the corner postswith considerably accuracy. It would therefore be desirable to provide aplatform system wherein the various components thereof could be readilyassembled on site, possibly by selection from components of differentsizes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is therefore concerned with an improvement of thecorner post construction and its manner of connection to the main partof the frame of the platform system.

The present invention provides a platform system comprising at least oneunit each comprising a substantially flat platform having on theunderside thereof downwardly extending hollow posts, and legs insertableinto the said posts, which posts are cast or moulded and each includeone or more lugs designed to be connected with the side frame of theplatform.

In the platform system of the invention the components thereof can bereadily assembled on site, and a strong connection between the cornerposts and the side frame can be obtained with good accuracy.

The lugs which are integral with the corner posts are suitablyconnectable to the side frame by rivets or the like, the connectionbetween the lugs and the side frame being preferably reinforced byadhesive. However, the corner posts may be welded or bonded to the sideframe, if desired.

The corner posts will be preferably each provided with an integral nut,threaded boss, or the like screwthreaded portion for cooperating with ascrew or bolt for fixing the supporting legs into the posts. As in theplatform system of U.S. Pat. No. 4,813,201, the posts are preferably ofsquare cross-section and the legs are of circular cross-section.Tightening the screw or bolt into the thread in the nut or boss on thecorner post drives the leg against the two opposing inner faces of thepost. The legs are preferably of scaffold tube inserted into the poststo provide staging of variable height or angle of rake.

The cast or moulded corner posts can be provided at their upper endswith flanges to receive and retain the corners of the flat top of theplatform. The flat platform top is usually a sheet of wood.

The invention in another aspect provides a cast or moulded corner postfor use in the platform system of the invention, the post having atleast one lug integral therewith for connection to a side frame memberof the platform.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be further described, by way of example only, withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side sectional view of a corner post and adjacent part of atypical side frame of a platform system according to the invention;

FIG. 2 in a section taken along the line X--X in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is top elevation of the corner post shown in FIG. 1.

The drawings show a corner post and adjacent side frame of a platformsystem which is generally of the type described in U.S. Pat. No.4,813,201.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to the Figures, the corner post 1 is cast from metal, e.g.steel or aluminium, or moulded (e.g. injection moulded) from plasticsmaterial, in a single piece, and has lugs 2 for connecting the post to aside frame 3 of the platform system. The side frame 3 is, for example,of truss design and comprises upper and lower tubular parts 3a and 3bconnected by an undulating tubular part 3c welded to the parts 3a and3b.

Tubular supporting legs 10 are inserted into the corner posts 1. Thecorner posts 1 are of square cross-section and the supporting legs 10are of circular cross-section.

The lugs and the side frame parts 3a and 3b have holes 4 for receivingrivets 5 or the like for securing them together. The side frame parts 3aand 3b have inner dimensions adapted to fit over the outer dimensions ofthe lugs 2. The lugs are also provided with longitudinal channels 2a foradhesive. The rivets 5 or the like will normally be fitted during curingof the applied adhesive. Adhesive may in use be injected into one of theholes 4, from which it will flow into the channels 2a.

The internal wall 6 of the post 1 is tapered as shown facilitate removalof the post from a mould.

The post 1 is also provided with an integral nut or boss 7 for receivinga screw or bolt (not shown) for securing a tubular supporting leg 10within a corner post 1. The boss 7 has a thread tapped after casting ormoulding, as shown in FIG. 2.

As best shown in FIG. 2, extra material may be provided at the intendedexternal corner 8 of the corner post 1, for additional strength.

The top face of the corner post 1 is provided with a flange 9 on twosides as shown, to form a corner for receiving and retaining a corner ofa flat top of the platform (not shown).

As previously explained, the component parts of the platform system ofthe Invention, in particular the corner posts 1 and the side frame 3,may be securely and readily connected together on site, by virtue of theposts 1 which are pre-cast or moulded and provided with the lugs 2.

I claim:
 1. A platform system suitable for providing staging, saidsystem comprising: at least one unit that includes a substantially flatplatform having a side frame, downwardly extending hollow corner postslocated on the underside of said platform, and supporting legs insertedinto the corner posts, at least two lugs being integrally formed witheach respective corner post, one of said lugs being connected with anupper mating part of the side frame of the platform and another of saidlugs being connected with a lower mating part of the side frame, saidhollow corner posts extending downward below said one lug.
 2. A platformsystem according to claim 1, wherein the lugs and the side frame haveholes for receiving rivets or the like for securing the corner posts andside frame together.
 3. A platform system according to claim 1, whereinthe corner posts are welded or bonded to the side frame.
 4. A platformsystem according to claim 1, wherein the lugs are provided withlongitudinal channels for adhesive for reinforcing a connection betweenthe lugs and the side frame.
 5. A platform system according to claim 1,wherein the corner posts are each provided with a threaded portion forcooperating with a screw or bolt for fixing the supporting legs in thecorner posts.
 6. A platform system according to claim 1, wherein thecorner posts are of square cross-section and the supporting legs are ofcircular cross-section.
 7. A platform system according to claim 1,wherein the corner posts are provided at their upper ends with flangesto receive and retain corners of a flat top of the platform.
 8. Aplatform system according to claim 1, wherein said corner post and itsat least two integral lug are either cast or moulded.